Cover Design Tips: What Sells and What Doesn’t

When it comes to publishing a book, one truth stands above the rest: people do judge a book by its cover. Your cover design is your first and best shot at grabbing a reader’s attention and convincing them to explore what’s inside. A good cover can draw readers in at first glance, while a poorly designed one can doom even the most brilliantly written story to obscurity.

Whether you’re self-publishing or working with a traditional publisher, understanding what makes a cover design sell—and what doesn’t—is crucial to your success. This post breaks down essential cover design tips that sell, common mistakes to avoid, and how you can create a design that works for your genre and audience.

What Makes a Book Cover Sell

1. Understand Your Genre Expectations

Each genre has its own visual language—specific design cues that readers subconsciously look for when browsing. Romance covers often feature couples or soft color palettes, while thrillers lean toward dark imagery and bold typography. Non-fiction books tend to be cleaner, with strong titles and simple, professional aesthetics.

Tip: Study the top 10 bestselling books in your genre. Look for patterns in fonts, imagery, colors, and layout. Your goal is not to copy, but to understand the expectations so your book doesn’t look out of place.

2. Prioritize Readable Typography

Your title and author name should be easy to read even at thumbnail size. Many readers will first encounter your cover on a phone or e-reader, not a bookstore shelf. Complex or overly artistic fonts may look interesting but can hurt readability.

Tip: Use clean, professional fonts and maintain good contrast between text and background. Consider how your title will look on Amazon or in a social media post.

3. Make a Strong First Impression

A successful cover doesn’t need to be complicated—it needs to be impactful. The best covers are often minimalist and bold, using striking images or color choices that evoke emotion or curiosity.

Tip: Focus on one central concept or image. Cluttered designs with too many elements confuse the reader and weaken the visual impact.

4. Use High-Quality Imagery

Pixelated, amateur, or stocky-looking images scream low quality. Professional design starts with professional assets. If you’re using stock photos, choose ones that don’t look overly familiar or cliché.

Tip: Invest in original artwork or premium stock photography when possible. For fiction, illustrations can be a great way to stand out—especially in genres like fantasy, YA, or sci-fi.

5. Color Psychology Matters

Colors trigger emotions. Red can imply danger or passion. Blue evokes trust and calm. Yellow feels energetic and youthful. Your color choices should reflect the tone of your book.

Tip: Use a limited color palette that enhances mood and genre. Complementary or analogous colors often work best. Avoid using every color of the rainbow—unless it fits your theme.

Common Cover Design Mistakes That Don’t Sell

1. DIY Without Design Skills

Many first-time authors try to design their covers themselves. While tools like Canva or Photoshop are accessible, they don’t replace the expertise of a trained designer. Poor layout, inconsistent alignment, and unbalanced composition are telltale signs of amateur design.

Mistake: Using too many fonts, clipart, or low-res images.

Fix: Hire a professional designer if your budget allows. If not, at least work with templates designed specifically for books and get feedback from readers.

2. Ignoring Market Fit

Some authors go for an “artistic” or “unique” look that doesn’t match their genre at all. A cover that’s too abstract, vague, or mismatched in tone will fail to connect with the right readers.

Mistake: A romantic comedy with a thriller-style cover will confuse and deter potential buyers.

Fix: Know your audience and what appeals to them. Be creative within the boundaries of market expectations.

3. Overloading with Information

Your cover isn’t the place to cram in quotes, taglines, or long subtitles—especially if they fight for space with the title and imagery. Less is more.

Mistake: Five different fonts, a tagline, a subtitle, an endorsement, and the author bio all squeezed in.

Fix: Keep it clean and focused. Let the cover “breathe.” Highlight the most essential elements—the title, author name, and main visual.

4. Not Considering Print and Digital Formats

What looks great on screen might not translate well in print. Elements like borders, spacing, or spine alignment can be tricky. Print also requires different resolution and bleed specs.

Mistake: Designing only for eBooks and discovering later that the image doesn’t wrap properly for a paperback.

Fix: Plan your design to work in all formats—print, digital, and audiobook. Many designers offer bundled packages.

Cover Design Checklist

Here’s a quick checklist to guide your process:

• Title is readable at thumbnail size

• Design matches genre expectations

• Color palette reflects the mood/tone

• Central imagery is clear and not cluttered

• Author name is legible

• Fonts are consistent and professional

• Works well in both color and grayscale

• Meets technical specifications for print/eBook

• Passes the “would I pick this up?” test

Working with a Designer

If you choose to hire a designer, make sure to:

• Share a clear creative brief (genre, mood, comps, audience)

• Provide examples of covers you like and dislike

• Give honest but constructive feedback

• Respect their professional judgment (you’re paying for their expertise)

Look for designers with a strong portfolio in your genre. Websites like Reedsy, 99designs, and Fiverr (for budget options) are good places to start.

Final Thoughts: Your Cover is Your Brand

Your book cover isn’t just decoration—it’s branding. It’s how your book communicates its promise to the reader in just seconds. A great cover builds trust, piques interest, and converts browsers into buyers.

In the crowded world of publishing, standing out means understanding what sells and what doesn’t. Prioritize professionalism, know your market, and always design with your audience in mind.

If your story matters—and it does—then your cover should reflect that quality. Don’t sell your book short. Design like it’s your one shot to win a reader’s heart… because it is.